Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc15CMMq34S
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89FqlxsetZ
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtbuMD9el0
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi7OX2OLxp
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N62CEKPl8
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3pFFhh7kn
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNxHwvPuoD
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2OKyYPkOR
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTaWKWPb3B
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB8bGsN3Lw
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPQW15gCXu
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ1BnsV3jb
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTJWkiycu8
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIChXujl23
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoANDPO2IPW
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT0v7rjDQS
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3N7wL8Nep
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirzuv7XDO4
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn3pz4B5kE
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJbTkCHi0a
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCBIpEvljd
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eW4fqVtOS
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnOr1Bl9Fh
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxGNMBGQWZ
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsz7hLUta7
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEjIZhr6RO
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs70zVscMEA
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nKyALwLFv
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGjmwZcr5t
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SYZChs06q
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Kqr9FOm6
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSteWf2TYsZ
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZkQuXrDt4
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiz8EV3yQn
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHcW8ONum0
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoSCLKShPb
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvrWwrzm0q
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk1f0d14oJ
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjZYfIiJ62
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwHp3O4sxn
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxd5GQX57f
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07xGwxOFe8
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFqVkCpy03
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThwcmpPP8W
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bb293CpLO
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L80P8b8Es
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHywyBKb2hm
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjluMmvjzz4
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxpIBTztVs
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMA3DFzsRC
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb7XW06KWG
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFTxcj0PlS
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOmSfbAQsd
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA37fAxE9d
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqSzsZYLou
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7qWVmQG21
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0elmMa7xbc
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpe4Uq8j5F
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg8dLbJ7L3
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhJdXNsUKv
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu9VjxrRMo
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChs9hw2k5g
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5dVpEkaYF
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1pZOAEJXy
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjtbjLlwmL
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeXRm0TYaT
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu9WE835t3
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJjQK1NO6I
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY0g3wQCFr
happen again.
Charles had told128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuh1lPC1GX
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgN7wd1Hyh
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiNjSSYSO9
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwOMgW6uzF
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VoH4olQHD
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sxbeQWOjo
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjw4Ecgmg7
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrSEjd80t1
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2ugUHNTyt
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBf71p3MkE
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lIG5QfaSZ
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0lUQcDEAe
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymAixE8KLn
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCE3KWKFVh
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF3QwYM78d
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmLVAPcS8Y
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPWAjqblyF
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBqchUWtPN
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6iVugbJGD
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0SGj9Egnb
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpBsWYwuj2
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQAEFwyRGS
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtQhdEhNm4
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIEwGzwK6X
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbdiT4PsZu
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8yTcXPtcP
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx4vUm7EBP
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa1XAamGqN
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NLnF677EL
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KHTSXS5bs
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ5sYms6ke
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGkOPgOMTr
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NwfTwPb1L
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAd6l53B00
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuaHL2q431
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXYbiHB4Lt
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XdEYJXCEM
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKNDbB95C4
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzDIN0cA6U
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qpQi9fUdM
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBDo5ZoRkD
she needed our order.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43EHJN0rG4
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOag14JPHNk
“Yes128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqpSj0Xstd
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyO3AvUy6B
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOgJAtm8VK
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUamYqgEks
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6bl9yhIgR
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAdecBAaip
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpZv7AjGXx
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHCO3wRuwY
walked over towards them.
“Do you think128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeXaDV5PF5
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW9mYmAdQv
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u1SbZpP6D
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulMTbI8hNg
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgbbx4Rm6E
to handle this?”
“You go in and128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs67PVV5eib
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcSxlFc2SR
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRmVL91ipt
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bOFmoh0UU
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKGpgbh6Yw
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ1LUgJJs7
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM55S37UJv
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30u9qm2dAx
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6Q74OSf90
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWVdhK5zDr
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbAUWyHrgi
uncommon.
As they made128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wNTrohxon
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXINN6ek22k
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwoNlv5bBA
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIDx5WS1e1
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kGi4czc1d
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyHAAtHXcA
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3inxoOKyTm
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXtQTEgTn7
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqAmoA0mZJ
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHMn8emWrv
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yC06if8fn
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiB0x6XBEf
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKP54u9zQq
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGobuNniVj
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzeC8BmdS8
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxd08N0V5d
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC1fXcSAvw
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThTEU9clrY
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq34COfdco
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhBAgz7eQk
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqnnzavGM7
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV4NruTJML
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlWc7HvPC4
came racing over.
“What in the name128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHzxlrun1q
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79DIjEttpM
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab0fHC7Lia
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVMo9YWA1X
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwgz2pPF3E
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC98aUytSme
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqiiINVWzX
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F8sBHn7cE
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbODCglZUc
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym8Uwk75hx
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YFpXtNCsA
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z4TWmj7CN
was going on.
“Clear out of the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStUsJcYIqF
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPfCaEbrW3
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPl4MtUy50
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuuYZDH9BL
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R7KDot1ZP
he froze.
“What are you128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfyhNyoQTm
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7nBTWXbkO
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYq1HobJxU
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcYp94xARh
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYZJJTGOe4
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxqfedNwt9
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRLcLo1Lzf
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GwyHKW9oy
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A8UhPsGBS
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DxAwvyYnI
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXPqXcmMXB
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRnZLf6vrQ
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOKWxeXzqM
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBVP148yec
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMoyPF0gU8
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWAaPV73F2
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4iwljUdUS
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmQtC5EHz8
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgVKnsXsUK
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2KtI2ErwZ
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xgX49UC0x
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58Xv3kg8ym
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHKCDdAsbl
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvslX9vafmJ
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYTlLiWu70
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3p81yer0G
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mx4CO4G2t
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2KImnVxow
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYRlOYc8hP
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8CgMmiOST
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGcaE0ALh4
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j0P76uL0R
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhqgb0otUU
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4xyiICrxx
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz6r3hRKJE
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQeEnTunEP
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwNdMntlWQ
tightly. He made the first move. He drew128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBJhBOqvKC
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx89XEi1a7A
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdLKiQR7kc
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSennVFLLE
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoTHlD7yeM
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrCGyMIYod
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF37NAAV9BA
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoqIzQ7g3k
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bomgRl9nZ
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYeCpLfnNI
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4joD89LJz
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqmbIHbMIo
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRSTUEAEXw
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLVBmdEnRy
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo2l8Xsjpd
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpe64m9dZt
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCCPNT957P
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLASIXTmoh
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AqPWCAV1J
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNUWorN5iL
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdDmv5XEVB
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEkpsfm3zD
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTfoFYvTKu
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnIUTuXJ00
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHKC32gJ3P
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD1rf3Fs7k
injured.
“Come with me.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8ywW3bXoL
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPHavljJw4
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyuW7HyBjM
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx6vjgFxY5
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaks0o2zxsv
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwjNcZlpfi
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyzDBdlWgC
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
